Authorize the FDA to Grant a Compassionate Use Exemption for a Fellow Yid

Perhaps we can all come to together to help Refael Elisha Meir ben Devorah.

Authorize the FDA to grant a compassionate use exemption to Refael Elisha Cohen for Antineoplaston therapy.

The Cohen family, of Houston, TX, is facing a battle none of us should have to go through – aggressive brain cancer in their 6-year old son Refael Elisha. Having recently received the devastating news from their doctors that “there is nothing more we can do for him,” the Cohens are turning to a last resort – Antineoplaston Therapy at the Burzyinski clinic. However, the FDA pulled their approval for this treatment in 2012 pending further clinical trials. We are told that the FDA is nearing approval to resume this treatment, but Refael Elisha does not have time to wait.

The FDA has the power to approve a “compassionate use exemption” so Refael Elisha can undergo this therapy to try and save his life.

We are asking the FDA to grant this exemption so we can continue to fight for his life.

My heart goes out to this boy and his family, may he have a refuah shelimah besoch shaar cholei yisroel bkarov.
I dont mean to rain on the parade, but who said this therapy is any better than drinking carrot juice.
According to the National Cancer Institute, No randomized controlled trials showing the effectiveness of antineoplastons have been published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. A Mayo Clinic study found no benefit from antineoplaston treatment. In particular, independent scientists have been unable to reproduce the positive results reported in Burzynski’s studies

Moreover, the petition states We are told that the FDA is nearing approval to resume this treatment, who exactly did the telling.

I understand that when there are no options, people, especially those in our in our community, try anything. While I am not questioning the reliability of Dr. Burzynski and his clinic, as others do, I do believe that there are physicians who make a lot of money promising unattainable results. As in all shailos of hilchos refuah we need to ask a rov. If a reliable rov of physician encourages the community to sign this petition, than by all means we should, but until then there is no mitzvah to follow the herd.
Again, wishing Refael Elisha Meir ben Devorah a full and speedy recovery.

RE:IMHO
Its good you have your opinions but thankfully this boy has parents who are the sole decision makers of his treatment. If you want to help them – ashrecha, if you don’t want to – at least mind your own business. Please don’t encourage others not to help this poor kid.

The following is a personal heartfelt plea from Elisha’s Mother, Mrs. Devorah Cohen:

Our six-year-old son, Refael Elisha, was diagnosed with a rare malignant brain tumor. There is a medication which may save his life, as well as that of two other children, but the FDA has not made it available yet. If we can obtain 100,000 signatures, the FDA will have to address this pressing issue.

We are asking the FDA to grant us a compassionate use of an experimental medication that may have the potential to save the life of our 6-year old and two other kids with rare brain cancer.

We strongly believe that we can accomplish this. I am asking you to please sign the petition and forward this to your friends and ask them to sign. It takes only few minutes!

Please help us help Rafael Elisha and other kids to get this medication.
Thank you in advance,